Anyone used a Celebrity eCard to pay for their cruise?

[ALadyNCal]

Always trolling for ways to get extra points/miles. Found out that GiftCertificates.com sells a Celebrity eCard. Below is the fine print. My questions.

 

1. Has anyone used this?

2. It 'appears' that you mail it directly to the cruise line. Altho I booked thru an agency, 'maybe' I can submit final payment in this method?

3. Think the Captain's Club could give me more info?

 

Thanks for any help. I have about three weeks till final payment is due and to figure out if I can use this product :)

 

Terms and Conditions

Gift Card (“Card”) is valid only for Celebrity Cruise sailings and can ONLY be used for new bookings that must be booked at least ten (10) business days prior to the sail date. Celebrity will apply the face value (in US dollars) of this Card against the cruise fare including taxes and fees (but excluding gratuities) for the qualifying booking. You may supplement payments made using a Card with other acceptable forms of payment. Card cannot be used to settle any ship board charges, including but not limited to gift shop purchases, casino debts, shore excursions or gratuities, charters or customized group programs.

Card is nonrefundable, not replaceable whether lost or stolen, not redeemable for cash and cannot be returned for a cash refund, except to the extent required by law. Cash value is 1/10 of one cent. Card shall be void where prohibited or restricted by law and if sold for cash or other consideration. Card is transferable only when gifted and has no expiration date. Changes to the reservation may be permitted, subject to availability and any other restrictions and any applicable cancellation charges. No refunds after booking is made and paid in full. Card is only valid if purchased and used by legal residents of Canada and the USA only (excluding Puerto Rico). Redemption Instructions

To redeem call 1-888-837-5676 and then mail the Card to: CRUISE CASH - GIFT CARD REDEMPTION CELEBRITY CRUISES, INC., 4729 S PALISADE ST, WICHITA, KS 67217-4925. Cards should only be mailed by certified mail and must arrive at least seven (7) days prior to the sail date. Celebrity is not responsible for lost cards. CARDS CANNOT BE REDEEMED AT OR BY ANY TRAVEL AGENCY. The value of the Card will be applied towards the cost of the Cruise.

[ORV]

Interesting, looks like they make it hard to redeem by requiring it to me mailed in by certified mail. Most gift cards just have a code that can be entered in a system.

 

Just out of curiosity how do you earn more points/miles than just paying for it with your card? Do they offer multiple points per dollar when you buy it through the airline or card website?

[cruisestitch]

It says in bold print that you can't redeem it through a travel agency, so I'm guessing that you can't use it for your trip. Also, it applies to new bookings only, and you appear to have already booked your cruise, is that right?

[Orator]

I might be missing something, but don't think I would go for it. You get no points or cash back as would would with a credit card. You cannot book directly with a TA and get any TA special offers. Unclear whether you can even transfer booking to an agent. May not apply to all cruises. No protection if lost or stolen. You are receiving no special offers. The card is simply cash and is treated as such. Buyer beware!

[Lsimon]

I agree with some of the above posters - I just can't see any reason to do this. It seem to offer no benefits and only puts one more area where something could go wrong unexpectedly. No reason to be subject to yet another few paragraphs of fine print.

 

I've seen other coupon sites, like restaurant.com, where they at least give you some sort of discount or special benefit for purchasing their certificates but I don't see benefit like that here.

 

Am I missing something?

 

And to the original poster Aladyncal: You say your'e thinking of using this for final payment, yet the terms specifically say it is only good for new bookings. To me that says if you have a booking in place when you buy the coupon, or even before using it, then it would not be considered a new booking and the coupon wouldn't apply. Could I be wrong: Possibly since it is never easy to understand fine print which is confusing by nature - but why take a chance?

[cruisestitch]

I'm not understanding how this gives any extra points or miles. If you use your branded credit card to purchase this, you get the miles/points from the card; but if you used that card to buy the cruise directly, you get the same miles/points. What am I missing?

[bighairtexan]

Do you buy this at a discounted rate? Otherwise it seems like way more trouble and not much of a perk.